|
|
||||||||
From the Division of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
METHODS. Reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction differential display was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in chick eyes that were deprived of sharp vision or treated with positive or negative lenses. Differences were analyzed through sequencing and database searches and confirmed by Northern blot analyses.
RESULTS. Combining 40 and 33 arbitrary primers with 3 oligo-dT-primers, approximately 48% and 40% of the retinal and choroidal mRNAs were screened, respectively. Twelve differences were detected in retinal tissue and five in choroidal tissue after 6 to 24 hours of exposure to defocus. Only one of 10 sequenced products could be identified as cytochrome-c oxidase, subunit I. Northern blot analysis confirmed its twofold upregulation after positive lens wear and also changes in four other unknown genes. Finally, it was shown that retinal glucagon mRNA content increased after treatment with positive lenses.
CONCLUSIONS. Visual conditions that induce refractive errors produce changes in gene expression in retina and choroid within 1 day. In line with previous immunohistochemical data, it was found that the amount of glucagon mRNA was upregulated during wearing of positive lenses.
| Introduction |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Until now, the messengers released by the retina to induce these changes have been unknown. Some hints were provided by previous experiments. The required spatial processing is likely to be a function of amacrine cells, and recently it was possible to restrict the number of candidate amacrine cells and involved neuromodulators.5 It was found that amacrine cells that were immunocytochemically double-stained, both by antibodies against glucagon and the immediate early gene ZENK, showed a sign of defocus-specific upregulation of ZENK with positive lenses and downregulation with negative lenses after only 30 minutes of treatment.6 The neuropeptide glucagon acts in a paracrine fashion and could play an important role as a messenger for the inhibition of axial eye growth.
To perform a more general screening for possible retinal and choroidal messengers that are involved in signal transmission during myopia and hyperopia development, we initiated a differential display study. The mRNA expression pattern was analyzed after treatment with either lenses or frosted goggles for different exposure times. To date, after screening approximately 48% and 40% of the total gene repertoire in the retina and choroid, respectively, we have found 17 genes with altered expression in response to changes in visual experience. In addition, inspired by the described studies,6 we have performed Northern blot analysis to quantify the amount of glucagon mRNA during treatment with defocusing lenses.
| Methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Isolation of Total RNA
Animals were killed by an overdose of ether, and eyes were
immediately enucleated. The retina and choroid were carefully removed
from the posterior segment and cooled quickly. Contamination by RPE
cells could be reduced to a minimum, because retinal and RPE genes
could be separately measured (Bitzer and Feldkaemper, unpublished data,
1999) in a parallel study. Total RNA was extracted (RNeasy Mini
Kit; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and digested with DNase-I
(BoehringerMannheim, Mannheim, Germany).
Differential Display Analysis
The mRNA differential display technique8
(DD-RT-PCR)
was performed with some modifications using a kit (RNAimage;
GeneHunter, Nashville, TN). Three one-baseanchored
HT11N primers (H is AAGCTT; N is G, A, C) were
used to subdivide the mRNA population. Reverse transcription was
performed according to the manufacturers instructions, except that
the reaction contained 400 ng total RNA. During PCR reactions,
different arbitrary 13mer primers (HAP) were used in combination with
the appropriate HT11N primer.
The PCR products were separated on 6% sequencing gels at 45 W. A film (GelBond PAG; FMC BioProducts, Rockland, ME) was used to support the gels. Afterwards, nucleic acids were stained by using an improved silver staining method.9
Reamplification and Sequencing
Bands of differing intensity between treated and untreated eyes
were excised, resuspended, and purified. Reamplification occurred under
the same conditions as during the first PCR, except that dNTP
concentration was reduced to 2.5 µM. Reaction products were checked
by gel electrophoresis and directly sequenced using a fluorescence
sequencer and the sequencing kit and protocol (model 310 sequencer with
DNA BigDye kit; PerkinElmer Applied Biosystems, Weiterstadt,
Germany). Sequences were analyzed using the BLAST and FASTA network
services (Geniusnet, Heidelberg, Germany). Amplimers were cloned and
sequenced afterward, if direct sequencing failed.
Cloning and Identification of Differential Display Bands
For cloning, the purified PCR amplimer was polished, ligated into
a vector (pCR-Script Amp SK (+); Stratagene, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands), and used to transform Epicurian coli XL-1 blue MRF' Kan
supercompetent cells. Inserts were sized by colony PCR. Amplimers that
showed the correct length were automatically sequenced. If more than
one sequence was obtained, the most abundant one was used for further
studies.
Probe Preparation for Northern Blot Analysis
For each amplimer that had been sequenced without cloning, a
specific forward primer was designed, according to the sequence
information: The antisense primer was composed of a leader sequence,
the consensus T3 sequence and the gene-specific sequence as previously
described in detail.10
The resultant PCR product was
purified and digoxigenin (DIG) was incorporated during transcription,
by using T3 polymerase. Focusing on differentially expressed genes that
were cloned before sequencing, DIG-labeled riboprobes were prepared by
in vitro transcription using T7 polymerase (DIG RNA labeling kit;
BoehringerMannheim). Primers for the cytochrome-c oxidase
probe were complementary to sense nucleotides +7313 through +7331 and
antisense nucleotides +7681 through +7671 of the mitochondrial genome
sequence (EMBL: X52392).A 51mer oligonucleotide (5'-GAT GTG GTA GCC
GTT TCT CAG GCT CCC TCT CCG GAA TCG AAC CCT GAT TCC-3') was end labeled
to generate the 18S-rRNA probe (DIG-oligonucleotide 3'-end labeling
kit, BoehringerMannheim). Primers for glucagon amplification were
complementary to sense nucleotides +47 through +69 of the 5'
untranslated region and antisense nucleotides +427 through +417 of the
pancreatic pre- proglucagon coding sequence (EMBL:Y07539) plus leader
and T3 consensus sequence.
Northern Blot Analysis
Differences in gene expression were confirmed by Northern blot
analyses. One microgram of RNA was run on 1.2% formaldehyde-agarose
gels, blotted overnight onto a positively charged nylon membrane
(BoehringerMannheim) and UV cross-linked. Blots were hybridized for
16 hours with 100 ng/ml DIG-labeled probe at 68°C
(cytochrome-c oxidase), 61°C (18S-rRNA), or 53°C (all
other probes). Afterwards, Northern blots were washed two times for 10
minutes each with prewarmed 2x SSC/0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
at the respective hybridization temperature. This was followed by two
15-minute washing steps with 0.1x SSC/0.1% SDS
(cytochrome-c oxidase, 18S-rRNA) or 0.3x SSC/0.1% SDS (all
other probes). The highest possible stringency was tested in advance.
Chemiluminescence detection was performed using disodium
3-(4-methoxyspiro{1,2-dioxetane-3,2'-(5'-chloro)tricyclodecan}-4-yl
(CSPD), BoehringerMannheim) as substrate. Blots were exposed to x-ray
film (Curix HT1; AGFA, Leverkusen, Germany), stripped, and reprobed
with an 18S-rRNA probe to control for gel loading.
Bands were quantified by digitization with a scanner. Using NIH Image software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD), bands were analyzed and pixel intensity calculated as an arbitrary value. The ratio of the intensity of the band of the probe to the band intensity of 18S rRNA revealed the normalized probe mRNA level. These normalized mRNA levels were compared using the appropriate Students t-test. Moreover, band intensities (probe/18S-rRNA) were calculated as a percentage of control levels (treated eye/control eye) for each animal, because this allowed a better comparison of different blots. The average percentages and SDs are given in the text. Absolute values could not be calculated using chemiluminescence detection and exposure to x-ray film, because the film has a limited linear range.
| Results and Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Analyses of Nonidentified Transcripts
Fragments 5 and 7, derived from retina, and 13 and 15, derived
from choroid (Table 1)
, were tested by Northern blot analysis to
confirm changes in gene expression. The eyes with normal vision did not
show significant changes in the expression pattern, no matter how the
contralateral eye was treated.
Fragment 5.
Northern blot analysis of transcript 5 revealed one band of 2.2 kb
(Fig. 2A
). Band intensity increased, especially after short treatment periods
with positive lenses in comparison to control levels (6 hours, 300% ±
99%; 1 day, 211% ± 130%, n = 3). Goggle wear and
negative lens treatment decreased mRNA levels slightly to 78% ± 29%
and 94% ± 25%, respectively, after 6 hours of treatment (not
shown, n = 2) and to 74% ± 29% and 68% ± 57%,
respectively (n = 3) after 1 day.
|
Fragment 13.
Hybridization with probe 13 showed one band of 2.0 kb (Fig. 2B) .
Positive and negative lenses did not affect its mRNA level (1 day of
positive lens wear: 82% ± 10%, n = 3; 1 day of negative
lens wear: 83% ± 69%, n = 2). Goggle wear led to a
decrease of the transcript level down to 48% ± 7% of the control
value (n = 3).
Fragment 15.
Probe 15 exposed two bands of approximately 1.9 kb and 4.4 kb.
The mRNA level of probe 15 was unaffected for both bands by wearing
positive lenses (109% ± 20% and 97% ± 58%, respectively, n
= 3). After 1 day of goggle treatment, the intensity of the 1.9-kb
band was decreased to 79% ± 40% and the 4.4-kb band intensity to
29% ± 14% (n = 3). Negative lens treatment for 1 day
decreased intensity of both bands (1.9-kb band: 80% ± 23%; 4.4-kb
band: 65% ± 30%, n = 3).
Sequence analysis showed that only the reverse strand of probe 13 contained a complete open reading frame. Because the fragments 5, 7, 13, and 15 have not yet been assigned to known gene sequences, we cannot comment on their possible function(s). A search for longer homologous cDNA sequences is planned, because it is possible that these transcripts represent specific modulatory substances. At the least, transcript 5 changed after exposure to defocus in a signal-specific fashion. This requires complex and yet unknown image processing.
Effects of Visual Exposure on Cytochrome-c Oxidase
mRNA Levels
The only sequence that could be identified by database searches
was 99.8% identical with base pair +7432 through +7854 of the chicken
mitochondrial genome corresponding to cytochrome-c oxidase
subunit I.11
The hybridization signal was at the expected
size for the full-length coding sequence (1545 bp, Fig. 3A
). Treatment with positive lenses for 6 hours and 1 day increased mRNA
levels significantly (1 day, P = 0.018, paired
Students t-test, n = 10) to 199% ± 140% and
176% ± 82%, respectively. This difference vanished after 1 week of
positive lens treatment (80% ± 27%, n = 3). Negative
lenses decreased relative cytochrome-c oxidase levels to
55% ± 32% (n = 3) after 6 hours and to 86% ± 56%
(n = 10) after 1 day of treatment, but this effect did not
achieve statistical significance. There was also a trend in
goggle-treated eyes toward a decrease in cytochrome-c
oxidase subunit I mRNA level (6 hours, 88% ± 40%, n = 4;
1 day, 76% ± 38%, n = 9; 1 week, 61% ± 27%, n
= 2).
|
Changes in Glucagon mRNA Expression Induced by Lens Wear
With a proglucagon probe, Northern blot analysis (Fig. 3B)
showed
bands with molecular weights varying between 1.8 and 2.0 kb, as well as
a 1.5-kb band. Additionally, some blots showed a weaker band of 1 kb
and of 4.6 kb. The 1.5-kb band corresponds to the expected size of the
pre- proglucagon mRNA (1576 bp). Therefore, results concerning the
intensity of the 1.5-kb band are given in detail. One day of positive
lens wear increased glucagon mRNA levels significantly
(P = 0.045, paired Students t-test). After
6 hours of positive lens wear, the glucagon mRNA level was increased to
158% ± 27% (n = 4), and it was even higher after 1-day
treatment with +7-D spectacles (197% ± 105%, n = 8).
Glucagon levels reached control levels after 7 days of treatment with
positive lenses (data not shown). There was a trend toward a decrease
in the amount of glucagon mRNA during treatment with negative lenses
for 6 hours (71% ± 13%, result not shown, n = 3) and 1
day (67% ± 32%, n = 7) that did not achieve statistical
significance in comparison with the respective controls (1-day -7-D
lens treatment versus control, P = 0.067, paired
Students t-test). Goggle wear did not influence glucagon
mRNA level consistently (6 hours, 107% ± 15%, result not shown,
n = 3; 1 day, 100% ± 33%, n = 7).
Although glucagon has been shown to act as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system,14 its role in the retina is less clear. Treatment of chicken retina with glucagon increased the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level.15 Other studies16 in the turtle retina led to the conclusion that glucagonergic amacrine cell may provide OFF-modulation in interactions between the ON- and OFF-center visual pathways. From our Northern blot analysis studies, it can be concluded that glucagon is one promising candidate for a messenger carrying the sign of defocus information, because mRNA levels increased significantly after positive lens wear and showed at least a trend toward a decrease after negative lens wear (P = 0.067). To further strengthen the possible role of glucagon, we are currently conducting pharmacologic studies using glucagon antagonists and agonists.
| Acknowledgements |
|---|
| Footnotes |
|---|
Submitted for publication June 17, 1999; revised August 27, November 17, and December 19, 1999; accepted January 11, 2000.
Commercial relationships policy: N.
Corresponding author: Marita P. Feldkaemper, Division of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 711, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. marita.feldkaemper{at}uni-tuebingen.de
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
X. Zhu and J. Wallman Opposite Effects of Glucagon and Insulin on Compensation for Spectacle Lenses in Chicks Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2009; 50(1): 24 - 36. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Zhu and J. Wallman Temporal Properties of Compensation for Positive and Negative Spectacle Lenses in Chicks Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2009; 50(1): 37 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. McGlinn, D. A. Baldwin, J. W. Tobias, M. T. Budak, T. S. Khurana, and R. A. Stone Form-Deprivation Myopia in Chick Induces Limited Changes in Retinal Gene Expression Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., August 1, 2007; 48(8): 3430 - 3436. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Troilo, D. L. Nickla, J. R. Mertz, and J. A. S. Rada Change in the Synthesis Rates of Ocular Retinoic Acid and Scleral Glycosaminoglycan during Experimentally Altered Eye Growth in Marmosets Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., May 1, 2006; 47(5): 1768 - 1777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. J. Fischer, G. Omar, N. A. Walton, T. A. Verrill, and C. G. Unson Glucagon-Expressing Neurons within the Retina Regulate the Proliferation of Neural Progenitors in the Circumferential Marginal Zone of the Avian Eye J. Neurosci., November 2, 2005; 25(44): 10157 - 10166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Buck, F. Schaeffel, P. Simon, and M. Feldkaemper Effects of Positive and Negative Lens Treatment on Retinal and Choroidal Glucagon and Glucagon Receptor mRNA Levels in the Chicken Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., February 1, 2004; 45(2): 402 - 409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Bitzer and F. Schaeffel Defocus-Induced Changes in ZENK Expression in the Chicken Retina Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., January 1, 2002; 43(1): 246 - 252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |